Richard Burton stars as John Morlar, a man who claims to possess a terrifying power. When Morlar is savagely attacked in his London flat Detective Brunel (Lino Ventura) investigates and the trail leads him to Morlar's psychiatrist (Lee Remick) for answers. He learns that Morlar believes that he has telekinetic power, including the ability to make planes crash and buildings crumble. As Brunel digs into the case his worst fear may soon be realized-that Morlar's power is real and that he can wreak havoc at will.